Modular vegetated roof system

ABSTRACT

Described herein is a module for covering a surface with vegetation. The module comprises a drainage board having an upper surface for supporting a growth medium. The drainage board has a plurality of moisture receptacles extending downwardly from the upper surface for collecting moisture. The module also comprises a plurality of sidewalls having a multiplicity of apertures therethrough. Each sidewall is coupled to the drainage board and extends upwardly therefrom. The sidewalls cooperate with each other so as to provide a perimeter for surrounding the growth medium. The module may also include other features. For example, the sidewalls may be pivotally coupled to the drainage board (e.g. along a living hinge), the module may include couplers for securing adjacent modules together, the sidewalls may include a reinforcing rib, the drainage board may include an opening for receiving an irrigation nozzle therein, and there may be edging for covering the sidewalls.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/804,623 filed on Mar. 3, 2013, by the present inventor(s), andentitled “MODULAR VEGETATED ROOF SYSTEM” which claims the benefit ofU.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/659,194 filed on Jun.13, 2012, by the present inventor(s), and entitled “MODULAR VEGETATEDROOF SYSTEM”, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated byreference herein for all purposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosure herein relates generally to apparatus and systems forcovering surfaces with vegetation and in particular, to modular systemsfor covering roofs with vegetation.

BACKGROUND

Green roof systems enable vegetation to grow on a roof of a building oranother structure. Some of these systems include a waterproof membraneapplied to the surface of the roof. A layer of soil or another growthmedium is placed on top of the membrane along with seeds or vegetation,which then grow on the roof. Unfortunately, these systems often requirecustomization for each particular roof design, which can be expensiveand time consuming.

Some modular green roof systems are known. For example, U.S. PatentApplication Publication No. US 2011/0030274 (Buist) discloses a greenroof module for covering a portion of a roofing surface with vegetation.The module includes a tray for containing a growing medium andvegetation, a permeable membrane, and a drainage board. The tray has abiodegradable bottom and a plurality of upwardly extending biodegradablewalls about the perimeter of the biodegradable bottom. The biodegradablebottom is configured so that water received within the tray can passtherethrough. The permeable membrane is provided below the biodegradablebottom, and is sized and shaped so as to span the biodegradable bottomand configured to allow water to pass therethrough while inhibiting thegrowing medium from passing therethrough. The drainage board is providedbelow the permeable membrane opposite the biodegradable bottom, and hasan upper surface for supporting the biodegradable bottom. The drainageboard is configured so that at least some of the water passing throughthe permeable membrane and received on the drainage board will bedrained away from the tray. A plurality of the modules can be arrangedto cover the surface.

In spite of these known systems, there is a need for improved modularsystems for covering roofs and other surfaces with vegetation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the invention, there is a module for coveringa surface with vegetation. The module comprises a drainage board havingan upper surface for supporting a growth medium. The drainage board hasa plurality of moisture receptacles extending downwardly from the uppersurface for collecting moisture. The module also comprises a pluralityof sidewalls having a multiplicity of apertures therethrough. Eachsidewall is coupled to the drainage board and extends upwardlytherefrom. The sidewalls cooperate with each other so as to provide aperimeter for surrounding the growth medium.

In some embodiments, the sidewalls may be pivotally coupled to thedrainage board, for example, along a living hinge. Accordingly, eachsidewall may be foldable along the living hinge to an upright positionin which the sidewall extends upwardly from the upper surface of thedrainage board to cooperate with adjacent sidewalls to provide aperimeter for surrounding the growth medium.

In some embodiments, the module may further comprise at least one femalecoupler on a first side of the module, and at least one male couplerlocated on a second side of the module. The male coupler may beconfigured to interlock with the female coupler of an adjacent module soas to positively secure the modules together.

In some embodiments, at least one of the sidewalk may have at least onerib for reinforcing the sidewall.

In some embodiments, the drainage board may include at least one openingthrough the upper surface. The opening may be sized and shaped toreceive an irrigation nozzle therethrough.

In some embodiments, the module may be pad of a modular system forcovering a surface with vegetation. The system may also include edgingfor covering at least one of the sidewalls. The edging may include aplanar portion for covering at least some of the apertures through theat least one sidewall, and an upper flange projecting from the planarportion for overhanging an upper edge of the at least one sidewall.

Other aspects and features of the invention will become apparent, tothose ordinarily skilled in the art, upon review of the followingdescription of some exemplary embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some embodiments of the present specification now be described, by wayof example only, with reference to the following drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a modular system for covering a roofwith vegetation according to an embodiment;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of some components of the modularsystem of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view of the system of FIG. 1 along the line3A-3A; and

FIG. 3B is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of the systemshown in FIG. 3A showing edging covering a sidewall of a module;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a module for covering a roof withvegetation according to an embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the module of FIG. 4 with sidewalls inan unfolded position;

FIG. 6 is cross-sectional view of the module of FIG. 4 along the line6-6;

FIG. 7A is an enlarged perspective view of the module of FIG. 4 showinga female coupler having a slot;

FIG. 7B is an enlarged perspective view of the module of FIG. 4 showinga male coupler having a locking tab for connection with the femalecoupler of an adjacent module;

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of an exemplary layout of the modular systemof FIG. 1, in which the modules are deployed with an irrigation systemfor supplying water in a selected spray pattern;

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of another exemplary layout of the modularsystem of FIG. 1, in which the modules are deployed around a roof drain;

FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view of the layout of the modular system ofFIG. 9 along the line 10-10.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, illustrated therein is a modular vegetated roofsystem 20 for covering a surface with vegetation 22. For example, thesystem 20 may be used to cover a roof 24 with a variety of plants orother vegetation, which may grow in a growth medium 26 such as soil.

The vegetated roof system 20 includes one or more vegetated roof modules30. The vegetated roof modules 30 are generally configured to supportthe growth medium 26. In some embodiments, the modules 30 may besupplied pre-vegetated. This may allow quick and easy installation ofthe modular vegetated roof system 20. In other embodiments, the modules30 may be supplied without vegetation, for example, either empty, orwith only the growth medium.

Referring to FIG. 2, each module 30 may include a drainage board 32having an upper surface for supporting the growth medium 26, andsidewalls 34 coupled to the drainage board 32. The sidewalls 34 extendgenerally upward from the drainage board 32. The sidewalls 34 maycooperate with each other to provide a perimeter for surrounding thegrowth medium 26.

Referring again to FIG. 1, multiple modules 30 can be placed in aside-by-side arrangement to cover a surface larger than a single module30. In some examples, each module 30 may have a shape that allowsmultiple modules to be joined together to cover a surface. For example,each module 30 may have a rectangular shape with four sidewalls 34. Themodule 30 may be approximately 20-inches long and 15-inches wide. Insome embodiments, the modules 30 may have other shapes and sizes. Forexample, the modules 30 may be square, triangular, or another shape, ora combination thereof.

As shown, one or more of the sidewalls 34 have a multiplicity ofapertures therethrough. The apertures can allow transfer of moisture,roots, soil, or other substances between adjacent modules 30. This mayenhance growth and uniformity of the vegetation. While the illustratedembodiment shows hexagonal apertures, the apertures may be circular,square, or any other suitable shape.

Referring again to FIG. 2, a permeable membrane 40 may be placed betweenthe upper surface of the drainage board 32 and the growth medium 26. Thepermeable membrane 40 may be a thin, flexible, porous membrane thatallows water to pass therethrough, but which inhibits other materialsfrom passing therethrough. For example, the permeable membrane 40 may bea filter fabric that allows water to flow through to the drainage board32, but tends to inhibit soil, plants and other organic and non-organicmaterials from passing to the drainage board 32. As such the permeablemembrane 40 may inhibit the drainage board 32 from becoming clogged bysoil and other materials. In some embodiments, the permeable membrane 40may be secured to the upper surface of the drainage board 32, forexample, using adhesive.

The system 20 may also include an irrigation system 50 for supplyingwater to the modules 30. The irrigation system 50 may include one ormore irrigation nozzles 52 that can be integrated into one or more ofthe modules 30. The nozzles 52 may be in fluid communication with awater supply (not shown). For example, the nozzles 52 may be connectedto the water supply via one or more irrigation pipes or conduits 54,which may be interconnected by fluid connectors 56. The irrigation pipesmay extend along passageways beneath the modules 30.

There may also be one or more layers of material below the modules 30.For example, as shown in FIG. 1, there may be an insulation layer 60, aroot barrier 62, and a roof membrane 64. The root barrier 62 may be madefrom a three-ply sheet having a polyester corded grid between two sheetsof polyethylene. Alternatively, the root barrier 62 may be a sheet ofThermoplastic PolyOlefin (TPO).

In some embodiments, there may be other types of layers, or one or moreof the layers may be omitted. For example, only the root barrier 62 isshown in FIG. 2. In some examples, the root barrier 62 and the roofmembrane 64 may be integrated into a single layer.

The system 20 may include edging 70 for covering one or more sidewalls34 of one or more modules 30. The edging may be made from aluminium orother metals, plastics, or another suitable material.

As shown in FIG. 2, the edging 70 may be bent and may have one or morecorners 72 that allow the edging 70 to wrap around adjacent sidewalls 34of a module 30. In some embodiments, the edging 70 may extend for somelength along multiple modules 30 arranged in a row (e.g. as shown inFIG. 1).

Referring to FIGS. 3A and 3B, the edging 70 may include a planar portion74 for covering apertures through the sidewall(s) 34 of one or moremodules 30. This may help to contain soil and other substances withinthe module 30.

In some embodiments, the planar portion 74 of the edging 70 may besecured to the sidewall(s) 34 using an adhesive 75. For example, theadhesive 75 may be tape, glue, epoxy, and the like. In some embodiments,the adhesive 75 may be a weather resistant double sided tape. This mayallow easy installation of the edging 70.

The edging 70 may also include an upper flange 76 projecting from theplanar portion 74. The upper flange 76 may overhang an upper edge 34A ofthe sidewall(s) 34. The overhang may help to contain soil and othersubstances within the module 30.

In some embodiments, the edging 70 may be raised above the surface beingcovered by the module 30. For example, with reference to FIG. 3B, theedging 70 generally has a bottom edge 78 and a first height H1 extendsbetween the bottom edge 78 and the upper flange 76. The module 30 has asecond height H2 extending between the upper edge 34A of the sidewall 34and the bottom of the drainage board 32. Furthermore, the second heightH2 of the module 30 may be greater than the first height H1 of theedging 70. As such, the bottom of the edging 70 may be spaced apartabove the roof surface. This can help with drainage, for example, byallowing moisture to escape from underneath the module 30.

The modular system 20 may also include one or more slabs 90 foranchoring the modules 30 in place. As shown in FIG. 1, the slabs 90 maybe placed around the periphery of the modules 30. The slabs 90 may beprecast concrete paving stones or another suitable slab of material suchas natural stone pavers.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3B, an anchor clip 92 may be used to help anchorthe modules 30 using the slabs 90. For example, the anchor clip 92 maybe configured to engage the module 30 and the slab 90 so that the slab90 holds down the module 30. More particularly, the anchor clip 92 mayhave a C-shaped opening for receiving an edge of the slab 90. The anchorclips 92 may inhibit the modules 30 from being lifted off the roof, forexample, in the event of windy conditions.

In some embodiments, the anchor clip 92 may indirectly engage the module30. For example, as shown in FIG. 3B, the anchor clip 92 may be coupledto the edging 70, in which case the upper flange 76 may engage the upperedge 34A to hold down the module 30. The anchor clip 92 may be securedto the edging 70 using an adhesive 94 such as tape (e.g. a weatherresistant double-sided tape), glue, epoxy, and the like. In otherembodiments, the anchor clips 92 may directly engage the module 30, forexample, by coupling the anchor clip directly to the module 30 (e.g.using tape).

In some embodiments, there may be secondary anchor clips 96 thatinterconnect adjacent slabs 90. The secondary anchor clips 90 may havean H-shaped cross-section so as to provide two opposed openings forengaging the edges of two adjacent slabs 90.

Referring now to FIGS. 4-6, illustrated therein is a vegetated roofmodule 130 for covering a surface with vegetation. The module 130 may beused with the modular system 20 described above. Furthermore, the module130 may be the same as or similar to the module 30 and similar elementsare identified by similar reference numerals incremented by one hundred.For example, the module 130 includes a drainage board 132 and sidewalls134.

The drainage board 132 generally has an upper surface 140. The uppersurface 140 may support a growth riled um such as soil. A filter fabricor another permeable membrane (e.g. permeable membrane 40) may be placedbetween the upper surface 140 and the growth medium. The permeablemembrane is generally sized to fit between the sidewalls 134 and coverthe upper surface 140. In some embodiments, the permeable membrane maybe die cut.

The drainage board 132 also has one or more moisture receptacles 142 forcollecting moisture. The moisture receptacles 142 extend generallydownwardly from the upper surface 140. For example, as shown in FIG. 6,the moisture receptacles 142 may be defined by one or more exteriorwalls such as sidewalls 144 and a base wall 146. The receptacles 142generally have an opening 148 along the upper surface 140. The opening148 may allow moisture to pass into (and out of) the moisture receptacle142.

In some embodiments, the moisture receptacles 142 may be interconnectedby one or more fluid channels 149 (see FIG. 4). The fluid channels 149extend generally downwardly from the upper surface 140 to a shallowerdepth than the moisture receptacles 142. Accordingly, when moisture orwater in one moisture receptacle 142 rises up to the depth of the fluidchannel 149, the water tends to flow along the channel 149 and intoother moisture receptacles 142. This may help equalize and distributewater and moisture across the drainage board 132.

The sidewalls 134 of the module 130 are coupled to the drainage board132. For example, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, each sidewall 134 ispivotally coupled to the drainage board 132 along a living hinge 150.The living hinge 150 is generally a thin flexible hinge made from thesame material as the drainage board 32 and sidewalls 134. For example,the living hinge 150 may be a portion of material (interconnecting thedrainage board 32 and sidewalls 134) that is thinned or partially cut toallow bending along the living hinge 150.

Each sidewall 134 is generally foldable about its respective livinghinge 150. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the sidewalls 134 can bemoved between an unfolded or unassembled position (shown in dottedlines) and an assembled or upright position (shown in solid lines).Coupling the sidewalls 134 to the drainage board 132 using the livinghinges 150 can allow the module 130 to be manufactured as a singleunitary piece of homogenous material, such as a single piece of plastic.

With reference to FIG. 5, the sidewalls 134 may extend generallyparallel with the drainage board 132 in the unassembled position. Themodule 130 may be initially manufactured and formed in this position.This is because it may be easier to manufacture the modules 130 as flatpieces with the sidewalls 134 folded down, especially when moulding themodule from plastics, for example, using an injection moulding process.Furthermore, the fiat unassembled position may enable compact storageand transportation of the modules 130, which may help reducedistribution costs.

Once the module 130 has been manufactured and is ready for installation,the sidewalls 134 can be moved to the upright position as shown in FIG.4. In the upright position, the sidewalls 134 extend generally upwardlyfrom the upper surface 140 of the drainage board 132. For example, thesidewalls 134 may be generally perpendicular to the upper surface 140.Once in the upright position, the sidewalls 134 may cooperate withadjacent sidewalls to provide a perimeter for surrounding and supportingthe growth medium.

In some embodiments, the sidewalls 134 may be held in the uprightposition using one or more connectors. For example, with reference toFIG. 6, there may be one or more snap fittings 152 extending upwardlyfrom the drainage board 132 along the periphery thereof. Furthermore,the sidewalls 134 may have a lower flange 154 adjacent the living hinge150. The snap fittings 152 may be configured to engage the lower flange154 when the sidewalls 134 are in the upright position. Moreparticularly, as shown in FIG. 5, the lower flange 154 may have aplurality of openings 156 for receiving the snap fittings 152therethrough. This may allow a hp on the snap fittings 152 to engage aportion of the lower flange 154.

In some embodiments, the lower flange 154 may help retain the permeablemembrane (e.g. the filter fabric) in place. For example, the filterfabric may be die cut or otherwise sized to span the extent of the uppersurface 140 of the drainage board 132 such that the lower flange 154overlaps the filter fabric when the sidewall 134 is in the uprightposition. Accordingly, when the sidewall 134 is moved to the uprightposition, the filter fabric may be secured or pinched between the lowerflange 154 and the upper surface 140 of the drainage board 132.

The sidewalls 134 may also be interconnected with each other once movedto the upright position. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, some sidewalls134 may include connectors such as locking tabs 160, which may cooperatewith slots 162 in adjacent sidewalls 134 to interconnect the sidewalls134. More particularly, when moving the sidewalls 134 to the uprightposition, the locking tabs 160 of one sidewall 134 may pass through theslots 162 of an adjacent sidewall 134. The locking tabs 160 may thenengage or latch onto the adjacent sidewall 134 so as to interlock thesidewalls 134. Interlocking the sidewalls 134 may help hold thesidewalls in the upright position.

While the illustrated embodiment includes two types of connectors forholding the sidewalls 134 in the upright position, in some embodimentsthe sidewalls 134 may be held in the upright using one or more types ofconnectors. For example, the module 130 may include only the lockingtabs 160 and slots 162 (and not the snap fittings 152). Alternatively,the module may utilize other types of connectors than those describedheroin.

While the illustrated embodiment utilizes a living hinge 150 to couplethe sidewalls 134 to the drainage board 132, in other embodiments thesidewalls 134 could be coupled to the drainage board 132 using othertechniques. For example, the drainage board 132 could be manufacturedseparately from the sidewalls 134. The separate pieces could then beassembled by coupling the sidewalls 134 to the drainage board 132, forexample, using hinge pins, snap fittings, other fasteners, or otherfastening techniques.

Furthermore, while the module 130 may be made from plastic, in someembodiments, the module 130 may be made from other materials such asmetals, composites, and the like.

As described previously, it may be desirable to place multiple modules130 in a side-by-side arrangement to cover a surface larger than asingle module 130. In such cases, it is desirable to interlock themodules 130 with each other. Accordingly, each module 130 may includecouplers for coupling the modules 130 together, as will be describedbelow.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 6, each module 130 may include one or morefemale couplers 170 on a first side of the module 130, and one or moremale couplers 172 on a second side of the module 130. The male couplers172 are generally configured to interlock with the female couplers 170of an adjacent module to positively secure the modules together.

As shown in FIG. 4, there may be two female couplers 170 located on eachof two adjacent sidewalls 134, and there may be two male couplers 172located on each of the two opposing sidewalls 134. Providing malecouplers 172 on opposite sidewalls of those with female couplers 170allows multiple modules to be secured together in a row or matrix.

Referring now to FIGS. 7A and 7B, an exemplary embodiment of thecouplers 170, 172 will be deserted in more detail. As shown in FIG. 7B,the male coupler 172 may have a locking tab 174. As shown in FIG. 7A,the female coupler 170 may have a slot 176 for receiving the locking tab174 of an adjacent module therethrough so as to secure the adjacentmodules together. The male coupler 172 positively engages the femalecoupler 170. For example, the locking tab 174 may be resiliently biasedtowards the sidewall 134. Furthermore, the female coupler 170 has amating surface 178 adjacent the slot 176 (e.g. on the underside of thefemale coupler 170). Inserting the locking tab 174 into the slot 176pulls the locking tab 174 outward against the biasing force until thelocking tab 174 passes over the mating surface. At that point, thelocking tab 174 snaps back towards the sidewall 134 and positivelyengages the mating surface 178 to interlock the modules and inhibitdetachment thereof.

In other embodiments, the male and female couplers may have otherconfigurations such as other snap fittings or tongue-in-grooveconnections.

As shown in the illustrated embodiment, one or more of the sidewalls 134have a multiplicity of apertures 180 therethrough. Furthermore, thecouplers 170, 172 may be positioned on the modules 130 so that theapertures 180 align between adjacent modules. This may allow transfer ofmoisture, roots, soil, or other substances between the adjacent modules.

As shown, the apertures 180 may be aligned in rows and columns along thesidewall. This may help facilitate alignment of the apertures betweenadjacent modules.

As shown, some of the apertures 180 may be located proximal to thebottom of the sidewall 134 (e.g. adjacent the living hinge 150). Forexample, some of the apertures 180 may be located within less than about⅛-inch of the upper surface 140 of the drainage board 132. Providingsome apertures 180 near the bottom of the sidewall 134 may helpfacilitate transfer of water or moisture between adjacent modules.

In some embodiments, the apertures 180 may be sized and shaped to allowmigration of roots therethrough. For example, as shown, the apertures180 may have a generally hexagonal shape. Furthermore, each of the sixsides of the hexagonal apertures may have a length of between about⅛-inch to about ½-inch, or more particularly about ¼-inch. In otherembodiments, the sides may be longer or shorter, and the apertures 180may have other shapes such as square, circular, and the like.

In some embodiments, the area of each aperture 180 may be between about0.01-square-inches and about 1-square-inch, or more particularly, about0.2-square-inches. In other embodiments, the area of the apertures 180may be smaller or larger.

Referring again to FIG. 4, in some embodiments, one or more of thesidewalls 134 may be reinforced. Foy there may be one or morereinforcements coupled to each sidewall 134. The reinforcements mayinclude horizontal ribs 190, a vertical rib 192, and hexagonal shapedreinforcing ribs 194.

The horizontal ribs 190 may extend generally parallel to the uppersurface 140 of the drainage hoard (e.g. across the length of thesidewall 134). The vertical rib 192 may extend generally perpendicularto the upper surface 140 (e.g. along the width of the sidewall). Thehexagonal shaped reinforcing ribs 194 may be located around the male andfemale couplers 170, 172.

Use of the reinforcements may enhance the strength of the sidewalls 134.Enhancing the strength may be particularly useful when the sidewalls 134have apertures 180 therethrough.

The reinforcements may be integrally formed with each respectivesidewall 134. Alternatively, the reinforcements may be joined to thesidewall 134 separately, for example, by adhesive, ultrasonic welding,and the like.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 6, the module 130 may be configured to beintegrated with an irrigation system (such as the irrigation system 50described above). For example, the drainage board 132 may include one ormore openings 200 through the upper surface 140. Each opening 200 may besized and shaped to receive an irrigation nozzle therethrough (such asthe irrigation nozzle 52). As an example, each opening 200 may have acircular shape and may be sized to receive a standard sized irrigationnozzle therethrough. In some embodiments, the opening 200 may have adiameter of between about ½ -inch and 1.5-inches, or more particularly,about ⅞-inch. In other embodiments, the diameter of the openings 200 maybe larger or smaller, and the openings 200 may have other shapes.

The module 130 may also have one or more passageways, which may be usedto supply water to the irrigation nozzle(s). For example, as shown inFIG. 6, the irrigation passageways may be open channels 210 on theunderside of the drainage board 132. The open channels 210 may be sizedand shaped to receive irrigation pipes or conduits therethrough.

The open channels 210 may be defined by spaces between the exteriorwalls of the moisture receptacles 142. More particularly, the spacing Sbetween the sidewalls 144 of adjacent moisture receptacles 142 may beselected to receive irrigation pipes or conduits therethrough. Forexample, the spacing S may be between about 1-inch and about 3-inches,or more particularly, about 2-inches. In other embodiments, the spacingS may be larger or smaller.

As shown in FIG. 6, the openings 200 through the upper surface 140 maybe aligned with the channels 210. This may allow easy routing ofirrigation conduits to the irrigation nozzles.

Referring now to FIG. 8, illustrated therein is an exemplary layout ofthe modular vegetated roof system 20 deployed on a roof top. The system20 includes vegetated roof modules 30, 30A and an irrigation system. Asshown, some of the modules 30A may be plumbed with one or moreirrigation nozzles 52 (“plumbed modules”), while other modules 30 maynot have irrigation nozzles. The arrangement of the plumbed modules 30Amay be selected to provide a selected spray pattern, for example, asindicated by the spray radius of the nozzles 52 shown in FIG. 8. Forexample, the modules 30, 30A may be arranged so that there is oneplumbed module 30A after every fifteen unplumbed modules 30.

The location of the irrigation nozzle 52 in each of the plumed modules30A may be selected to provide a selected spray pattern or coveragearea. For example, the irrigation nozzle 52 in the lower left plumbedmodule 30A may be placed in the lower left corner of the module. Thismay allow the irrigation nozzle 52 to spray water over an area thatincludes a substantial portion of the lower left plumbed module 30Aitself.

Depending on the placement of a plumbed module 30A, the nozzle 52 may beprovided with different watering paths. For example, the nozzles of theplumbed modules 30A in the corners may have a 90-degree watering path,the nozzles of the plumbed modules 30A along the edges may have a180-degree watering path, and the nozzle of the plumbed module 30A inthe centre may have a 360-degree watering path.

Referring now to FIGS. 9 and 10, therein is another exemplary layout ofthe modular vegetated roof system 20 deployed on a rooftop around a roofdrain 250. As shown, the modules 30 may be arranged to surround the roofdrain 250. More specifically, one or more modules in a grid may beomitted to make room for the roof drain 250. In some cases, the modules30 may be arranged so that the roof drain 250 is centred betweenadjacent modules 30. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 10, the modules 30may support a removable cover 260 for covering the roof drain 250.

In some embodiments, the modules 30, 130 described herein may bepre-vegetated with plants or other vegetation in the growth medium. Forexample, the vegetation may include a variety of plants such as ArubaCreeping Red Fescue, Marco Polo Sheep's Fescue, J-5 Chewings Fescue,Common Chives, Ozark Sundrops, Common Yarrow, and America Sea Pink(collectively referred to as “Shortgrass Meadow Plantings”). As anotherexample, the vegetation could include another mixture of vegetation suchas Sedum album “Orange Ice”, Sedum acre “Aureum”, Sedum album “CoralCarpet”, Sedum floriferum “Weihenstephaner Gold” Sedum reflexum “BlueSpruce”, Sedum spurium “Tricolour”, Sedum spurium “Green Mantle” Sedumspurium “John Creech” Sedum spurium “Red Carpet”, Sedum spurium “SummerGlory” and Sedum Rupestre “Angelina” (collectively referred to as“Desert Succulent Plantings”). Alternatively, the modules 30, 130 couldbe supplied without vegetation, for example, either empty, or with onlythe growth medium.

While the embodiments described herein relate to covering a portion of aroof surface with vegetation, it should be understood that othersurfaces could be covered, including horizontal or angled surfaces thatform part of a building or other structure, including patios, terraces,porches, decks, trusses and ledges.

While the above description provides examples of one or more apparatus,methods, or systems, it will be appreciated that other apparatus,methods, or systems may be within the scope of the appended claims.

1-24. (canceled)
 25. A modular system for covering a surface withvegetation, the modular system comprising as plurality of modules, eachof the modules comprising: (a) a drainage board having an upper surfacefor supporting a growth medium, the drainage board having a plurality ofmoisture receptacles extending downwardly from the upper surface forcollecting moisture; (b) a plurality of sidewalls having a multiplicityof apertures therethrough, each sidewall being coupled to the drainageboard and extending upwardly therefrom, the sidewalls cooperating witheach other so as to provide a perimeter for surrounding the growthmedium; and (c) a plurality of couplers for positively securing adjacentmodules together, the couplers being located on the sidewalls above thedrainage board.
 26. The modular system of claim 25, wherein theplurality of couplers include: (a) at least one female coupler locatedon a first sidewall of each of the modules; and (b) at least one malecoupler located on a second sidewall of each of the modules, the malecoupler being configured to interlock with the female coupler of anadjacent module so as to positively secure the modules together.
 27. Themodular system of claim 26, wherein the at least one male coupler has alocking tab and the at least one female coupler has a slot for receivingthe locking tab therethrough.
 28. The modular system of claim 27,wherein the female coupler has a mating surface adjacent the slot forpositively engaging the locking tab by snap fitting the locking tab onthe mating surface so as to inhibit removal of the locking tab from theslot.
 29. The modular system of claim 27, wherein the locking tab can bepulled open to separate the couplers.
 30. The modular system of claim26, wherein the at least one female coupler comprises a pair of femalecouplers, and wherein the at least one male couplers comprises a pair ofmale couplers.
 31. The modular system of claim 30, wherein the pair offemale couplers are located on adjacent sidewalls of each of themodules, and wherein the pair of male couplers are located on adjacentsidewalls of each of the modules.
 32. The modular system of claim 25,wherein the multiplicity of apertures are arranged in rows and columns,and wherein the plurality of couplers are located above at least one ofthe rows of apertures.
 33. The modular system of claim 25, wherein eachof the plurality of sidewalls is pivotally coupled to the drainage boardalong a living hinge.
 34. The modular system of claim 33, wherein thedrainage board and the sidewalls of each of the modules are formed as asingle unitary piece of homogenous material.
 35. The modular system ofclaim 34, wherein the drainage board and sidewalls include a pluralityof connectors for holding the sidewalls in the upright position.
 36. Themodular system of claim 35, wherein the connectors comprise a pluralityof snap fittings spaced along the periphery of the drainage board andextending upwardly therefrom, and a plurality of openings in theplurality of sidewalls sized to receive the plurality of snap fittings.37. The modular system of claim 35, wherein the connectors comprisescorner connectors for connecting corners of adjacent sidewalls togetherwhen the plurality of sidewalls are in the upright position.
 38. Themodular system of claim 37, wherein the corner connectors include alocking tab and a slot.
 39. The modular system of claim 25, furthercomprising a permeable membrane sized to fit between the plurality ofsidewalls and cover the upper surface.
 40. The modular system of claim25, wherein the multiplicity of apertures are sized and positioned so asto allow for the transfer of moisture through the growth medium andbetween adjacent modules.